Package for storing and dispensing caustic substances



March 17, 1970 R. JURION L 3,501,055

PACKAGE FOR STORING AND DISPENSING CAUSTIC SUBSTANCES Filed Feb. 27, 1968 INVENTORS ROLAND JLRION MAURICE NICOLAS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,501,055 PACKAGE FOR STORING AND DISPENSING CAUSTIC SUBSTANCES Roland Jul-ion, Bobigny, and Maurice Nicolas, Rueil-Malmaison, France, assignors to Societe dEtudes Chimiques pour IIndustrie et IAgricultnre, Paris, France Filed Feb. 27, 1968, Ser. No. 709,592 Claims priority, applicggign France, Feb. 27, 1967,

Int. Cl. B67d 5764, 3/00, 25/18 US. Cl. 222131 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved package for storing dangerous substances and more particularly to a shock-resistant container for storing and dispensing caustic liquids such, for example, as bromine.

Containers for storing dangerous substances are widely known in the art and generally are fabricated from material compatible with the contents thereof yet having sutficient mechanical strength to withstand rough handling. The problem of storing fluids such, for example, as bromine, is particularly diflicult since the materials most resistant to action by these fluids do not exhibit good high mechanical strength. For example, glass is an excellent bromine-resistant material, yet glass is too fragile for safe storage of such material. It has been common in the prior art to protect glass storage vessels by the provision of an outer shell and, in some cases, by filling the space between the shells with an energy-absorbent material; however, such structures have complicated the operation of opening and dispensing or filling these containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a novel container for storing and dispensing dangerous substances, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by furnishing a package enclosure which permits safe and simple manipulation thereof by unskilled personnel.

The invention also provides a package of the type described having an energy absorbing protective shell in which the contents thereof may be manipulated, transferred and/ or admixed without danger of damage or deterioration of the energy absorbing shell.

The invention also furnishes a container which is equally suited for storage and dispensing of dangerous substances by providing interchangeable closures which serve to either isolate the contents of the container or provide a dispensing structure therefor by interchanging components of the closure.

In a preferred embodiment, the objects and advantages of this invention are achieved by furnishing a package comprising an outer container, preferably formed of a synthetic, corrosion-resistant material; an inner necked ice glass bottle disposed in the outer container in such a manner as to define a space therebetween; a plate, having an opening through which the neck of the bottle extends, substantially enclosing the bottle within the outer container; the space between the inner and outer containers being filled with an energy absorbing material; a sleeve mounted in the opening in the plate to encompass the neck of the bottle; a resilient seal disposed between the sleeve and the neck to isolate the space between the containers; an annular enclosure threadably engages the sleeve; and blind and dispensing inserts are provided to be interchangeable in the opening of the closure to provide for selective storage or dispensing of the contents of the bottle.

Other objects and the attendant advantages of this invention will become better understood to those skilled in the art by reference to the following detailed description when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is an elevational view in section of a package in accordance with the invention, illustrated in the storage configuration thereof; and

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the package of FIGURE 1, illustrated in the dispensing configuration thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIGURE 1 the package comprises an outer container 1 formed of a synthetic material such, for example, as a thermoplastic. In the event that a caustic fluid such as bromine is to be stored, a thermoplastic having properties similar to polyethylene is preferred for this purpose. An inner container comprising a necked glass bottle 2 is disposed in spaced relationship to the inner surfaces of the outer container 1 and the space therebetween is filled with an energy absorbing material such, for example, as vermiculite, polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam or the like. A sleeve 4, disposed to surround the neck of the bottle 2, has threads 5 formed on the upper outer surface thereof. An annular plate 6 is disposed to close the open end of the outer container 1 and substantially enclose the bottle 2. The sleeve 4 is supported by the plate 6 and both members may be formed of any suitable material, preferably, as in the outer container 1, a heat weldable thermoplastic such, for example, as polyethylene. Although threads 5 are specifically described on the sleeve 4, it should be understood that any suitable means may be provided on the sleeve 4 to receive other known types of closure means if so desired. The outer container 1, sleeve 4 and plate 6 are preferably assembled by heat fusion; however, it should be understood that other forms of connection such, for example, as mechanical fastening, adhesives, solvents or the like, may be employed if so desired. The afore-described assembly may also be fabri- 'cated as an integral part by proper design for injection molding.

An annular seal 7 is disposed between the sleeve 4 and the neck of the bottle 2 to isolate the space between the containers and, as illustrated, to extend from the space between the sleeve and neck. The seal may be of any flexible material suitable for the purpose such, for example, if bromine is to be stored, 'as Viton, a fluoroelastorner produced by Du Pont de Nemours.

A closure comprising an annular cap 8 having a central member 8' comprising a flanged stud rotatably disposed through the opening thereof, is threaded onto the threads 5 of the sleeve 4. A disc gasket 9 is interposed between the flange of the central member 8 and the upper surfaces of the gasket 7. The upstanding stud on the cenal member 8' maintains'alignm'ent between the' cap and re member, while providing for rotation between the cap 1d the central member, thereby reducing friction and ear between the seal 7 and the gasket 9. The gasket is .eferably formed of the same material as the seal 7 hile the cap can be made of a similar material as that f the sleeve. The central member 8 is preferably formed f a material suitably compatible with the contents of the ackage, in the case of bromine, for example, a fluoroarbon such as polytetrafluoroethylene being suitable for llS purpose.

Although for the purposes of description of the pre- :rred embodiment, a two-piece closure is illustrated, it lOllld be understood that in some instances, a single iece closure with a gasket will be suitable.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 of the drawings, a poron of the package is illustrated in enlarged detail showlg the dispensing configuration thereof. The cap 8 is ireaded on the sleeve 4 and holds in place a dispensing isert disposed through the cap opening. In this instance, 1e dispensing insert is particularly suited for the preparaon of an aqueous solution of bromine. The insert comrises a domed portion 10 having a central pipe 11 and secondary pipe 12 formed therethrough. The pipe 11 is referably of suitable length to extend to the vicinity of 1e bottom of the bottle 2 so that this conduit may be tilized for the introduction of water. The other pipe 12 then utilized for withdrawal of the resultant aqueous )lution of bromine. The insert is preferably fabricated f a material compatible with the contents of the package. 1 the case of bromine, for example, the insert may be )rmed of glass or a fluorocarbon, such as polytetrauoroethylene. If .the insert is formed of glass, the pipe 1 should preferably terminate in spaced relationship to ie bottom of the bottle 2 to avoid accidental mechanical ontact therebetween. A suitable length of flexible tubing lay then be attached to the lower portion of the pipe 11 bridge the remaining space to the proximity of the ottorn of the bottle 2. A flange 13 is formed around the )wer portion of the dome 10 and extends transversely etween the cap 8 and the upper surface of the seal 7. kn annular gasket 15, preferably formed of the same ma- :rial as the seal 7, is provided between the flange 13 and lie cap 8. Unlike the gasket 9, the gasket 15 is not essenal in that it merely improves the integrity of the bottle uring dispensing of the contents. Although the closure as been illustrated as interchangeable between the storig and dispensing configurations, it should be undertood that the dispensing insert may be formed integrally r permanently attached to the cap structure, if so desired.

The package finds particular utility in mixing aqueous olutions of bromine since the package may be immersed ntirely in water without requiring handling of the glass ottle. As an example, the package in the configuration f FIGURE 1, may be immersed, the cap 8 removed, the ispensing insert substituted, and the cap replaced with 1e entire operation taking place under water, thereby roviding a maximum of safety in handling even by unkilled personnel.

As illustrated, the outer container 1 extends sufficiently eyond the plate 6 to fully encompass the neck of the ottle 2 and the closure. Such a structure, although not landatory, protects the closure and the bottle neck from lechanical damage during storage, transportation or andling. With the configuration of the outer container 1, 1e provision of dispensing pipes such as those illustrated t 11 and 12, finds further utility in that the contents of re container 2 may be dispensed without interference tom the extending portion of the container 1.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art an easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this lvention, and Without departing from the spirit and :ope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

What is claimed is:

1. In a package for storing. and dispensing caustic substances having an inner container with a neck extending from the upper surface thereof and an open ended outer container fitted in spaced relationship around and isolated from mechanical contact with said inner container, the improvement comprising:

a plate coaxially formed in said outer container to substantially enclose said inner container and define a space with respect to the upper surface thereof, said plate having a central opening receiving said neck therethrough; a sleeve formed around said opening in spaced relationship tov said neck;

an annular resilient seal means between said neck and said sleeve to isolate the space between said containers;

energy absorbing material filling the space between said containers to provide the sole mechanical support for said inner container and to block transmission of shock thereto; and

a closure removably attached to said sleeve.

2. A package in accordance with claim 1 wherein said seal means extends from the space between said sleeve and the neck of said inner container and wherein said closure means engages said seal means to isolate the interior of said inner container.

3. A package in accordance with claim 2 wherein said closure is threadably attached to said sleeve.

4. A package in accordance with claim 2 wherein said closure comprises an annular cap threadably engaging said sleeve, and a central member rotatably disposed through the opening in said cap, said central member having a flange extending between said cap and said seal means.

5. A package in accordance with claim 4 wherein said closure further comprises a second seal means associated with said flange to enhance sealing between said cap and said sleeve. I

6. A package in accordance with claim 4 wherein said central member further comprises a dispensing means extending through said opening.

7. A package in accordance with claim 6 wherein said dispensing means comprises a domed portion having a pair of pipes extending therethrough, one of said pipes terminating proximate the neck of said inner container and the other of said pipes extending substantially the length of said container. 7

8. A package in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outer container, said plate and said sleeve are formed of thermoplastic elements assembled by heat fusion.

9. A package in accordance with claim 7 wherein said thermoplastic material comprises polyethylene.

' 10. A package in accordance with claim 9 wherein said annular resilient seal means comprises a fluoroelastomer.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 618,352. l/1899 Hoffman 222-131 2,808,182 10/ 19 57 Furedi 222-479 2,939,611 6/1960 Nebinger 222l3 1 3,149,763 9/1964 Exton 222-562 X 3,265,250 8/1966 Meyer 222131 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner H. S. LANE, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

